Coreg and Blood Sugar (Cont.)

Low Blood Sugar and Coreg

Low blood sugar levels have been reported in people taking Coreg, as well as with other beta blockers. This side effect is more common in infants and children, while fasting (such as before surgery), after prolonged exercise, or in people with kidney disease or diabetes.
 
Low blood sugar symptoms can vary, depending on a number of factors, including how low the blood sugar levels are. Examples of early symptoms may include:
 
  • Sweating
  • Shakiness
  • Extreme hunger
  • Dizziness
  • Cold sweats
  • Blurry vision.
     
More severe symptoms of low blood sugar include:
 
  • Changes in behavior, such as irritability
  • Loss of coordination
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Coma
  • Loss of life.
     
Two other symptoms that can occur in people with low blood sugar are an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In people taking Coreg, however, these symptoms may not occur because of the effects of the medicine.
 
If you develop any possible symptoms of low blood sugar while taking Coreg, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency medical care and stop taking the medicine. If your healthcare provider believes that low blood sugar is causing your symptoms, he or she may recommend that you treat the low blood sugar immediately by eating or drinking something with sugar in it, such as orange juice, hard candy, a tablespoon of honey, or even a tablespoon of granulated sugar.
 

Coreg and Blood Sugar: Suggestions

Low and high blood sugar levels are known problems in some people taking Coreg and can cause serious or even life-threatening complications. Prevention is the best treatment. Therefore, anyone taking Coreg should be aware that low blood sugar or high blood sugar levels are possibilities. They should know the signs and symptoms of each and know what to do if these symptoms occur. If you have diabetes, your healthcare provider may also recommend that you check your blood sugar levels more frequently, especially when first starting Coreg or changing the dosage.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;